Next Generation, What Will You Do?

Next Generation, What Will You Do?

When I was growing up, the topic of “What will you do with your life?” included a strong emphasis on “You must make enough money to support yourself.”

Our family didn’t have a lot growing up. I think my parents genuinely didn’t want me to spend my life struggling from paycheck to paycheck, in debt up to my eyeballs, or unable to vacation with my family.

I recently enjoyed a conversation with the next generation, a recent graduate of the Class of 2017, in fact.

I was stunned by the words she spoke:

“Money is a thing of this world, so spend it and give it away.If you run out, make some more.”

Although she has lived a life of above-average wealth, she doesn’t value money the way my generation once did.

However, she does hope to become a millionaire in the next five years, but money is not the highest thing she values. She values life, time, people, and doing what she loves.

My generation is confused by this generation because we roll up our sleeves and do whatever is necessary to provide for our families.

Maybe this next generation understands money better than I did—or still do. Ahem.

I have spent the majority of my adulthood uncovering and healing from a “poverty mindset.” I am frugal to the extreme. It makes me reluctant to purchase, toss, give, etc. This is full-blown bondage.

I love that money isn’t her source. She said, “The thing you hold at the highest place is what you truly worship. I just don’t hold money in that place.”

While I believe her thoughts are biblical, how in the world does work ethic fit into this? The verse that comes to mind is Proverbs 6:6: “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!” (NIV).The next generation fully believes that when God is in His rightful place, you will fully live for Him and He will add everything unto you.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. — Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

Could the hand of the Lord alone bring all the prosperity they’ll ever need? And do we have the faith in the next generation to let them try?

Take a look at these verses with me:

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. — 2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” — Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

“If you love me, keep my commands.” — John 14:15 (NIV)

If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God:

You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.

The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.

Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed.

You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.

The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.

The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.

The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in obedience to him. Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you. The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you.

The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them. — Deuteronomy 28:1–14 (NIV)

I am curious about your thoughts on this subject. What books have you read on the next generation? Do share. Let’s pray together for our Next Gen.

Father, give them dreams and visions. Guide them. Let them know You more personally. Help them to know how much You love them! Father, reveal their identity and how special and unique they are to Your sacrificial love. In Jesus’ name.

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